They’re absolutely certain there is no resurrection. They have it all figured out. The problem is they figured wrong!
These Sadducees remind us of many religious people today who are equally certain they have all the answers.
Sometimes we may even find ourselves speaking with excessive bravado. It never occurs to us our impeccable arguments, just like theirs, may be based on faulty premises.
Here these religious experts present Jesus with a logically conceived but outlandish hypothetical question. It is about a woman who married again after each of her husbands died. Seven times!
Hoping to embarrass Jesus over His belief in the resurrection, they spring the trap. Jesus, if you believe in the resurrection we have a question for you – Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?
The Teacher’s answer never even occurred to them.
Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
You know, a little humility wears well when it comes to spiritual things. Things associated with God! None of us has a perfect understanding. And sometimes what we think we know is the greatest impediment to what we need to know!
This is the essence of spiritual growth. There is always more to learn – a deeper understanding – especially when it comes to anything related to an infinite God.
In fact, a red flag should go up when people give the impression they have it all figured out! Because, sometimes they’re just wrong!
Well said, Denny. May God grant us a deeper understanding and a lot more humility.
ReplyDeleteJesus rebukes them, says they are in error, because of two things:
ReplyDelete1. you do not know the scriptures
2. or the power of God.
We study the scriptures. We memorize and read and many of us can recite book, chapter, and verse for things that support "our beliefs" or our "doctrine" - and that is somewhat of a good thing. But what about scriptures that aren't necessarily our "proof text's" so to speak?
How well do we know scriptures, as a whole?
And maybe moreso - what of the Power of God?
What do we know of the power of God?
Do we, like the Sadducees, paint God in a box,
especially when it comes to His "power"
and His ability to show that power.
What do we know of scriptures and the power of God?